Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

On the evening of February 15, Beijing time, it is reported that Apple has obtained a new patent today, further raising expectations that Apple will launch a foldable screen device.

According to the patent description, the technology allows users to touch multiple parts of the device, not just the screen, to achieve some functions. For example, users can touch the side of the device to control the camera, which Apple describes as a "virtual shutter button." In addition, users can swipe their fingers up and down on one side of the device to control the volume.

Moreover, the patent description includes an image of a foldable phone or tablet with a "surround" screen (that is, foldable).

Unlike competitors such as Samsung, Apple has not yet launched a foldable screen iPhone or any other device. But some analysts predict that Apple will release such a device in the near future. The new patent obtained this time has further raised people's expectations.

The patent could indicate that Apple will launch a collapsible device, but not this year, UBS analysts said in a report. UBS believes that the foldable screen will increase the market demand for iPhone in the future. "We believe that the foldable screen iPhone will boost the purchase rate and upgrade rate of consumers," UBS analysts said in a report. "

At present, foldable screen phones account for only a small part of the entire smartphone market. Foldable phones accounted for only 1.1 per cent of total smartphone shipments in 2022, according to IDC.

In the past few months, some analysts have predicted that Apple may launch some kind of collapsible device, but it should not be the iPhone. Because when it comes to iPhone, Apple is in no hurry to cater to a new trend, but to wait for the technology to mature.

To that end, market research firm CCS Insight expects Apple to be the first to launch a folding screen iPad in 2024. Because it doesn't make much sense to launch a foldable iPhone right now, Apple will avoid this trend and take the lead in testing the water with the iPad.

In addition, Guo Mingyi, a well-known Apple analyst, also expects Apple to launch a foldable iPad in 2024.

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